Discusses some of the negative effects classifying and labeling has on children entering the elementary grades. (DD)

The first of six articles on the topic of categorical versus noncategorical special education reviews research on the harmful effects of labeling and categorizing children and introduced the next five papers. (CL)

Insists that too many marginal students are wrongly classified and segregated from regular education programs. Special education classification programs have many problems, such as lack of validity and reliability, invidious causes, and inescapable isolation. Vast sums are spent without providing institutional benefits to children. Includes 17…

This study was designed to examine the effects of adults' labeling and use of social groups on preschool children's intergroup attitudes. Children (N=87, aged 3-5) attending day care were given measures of classification skill and self-esteem and assigned to membership in a novel ("red" or "blue") social group. In experimental classrooms, teachers…

Presented is a position paper on learning disabilities developed by the Region 9 Task Force (State education directors or their designates from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont). It is explained that the Task Force met in March 1976 to share state and regional concerns about definitions,…

The paper discusses the unconventional expectations associated with the label "feminine" as it affects role referrents of professorship within higher education. For journal availability, see SO 505 800. (Author)

In this "non-paper not prepared for the Canadian Education Association Convention," the author muses over education's absorption with overlapping special populations and wonders who is left to be average. (SJL)

Evaluated relationships among Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) code types from the Gilberstadt and Duker and the Marks, Seeman, and Haller systems. Superordinate types were identified: neurotic, psychotic and sociopathic. Data from the MMPI do not support the practice of highly differentiated classification within the three…

Reviews and critiques relevance of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised (DSM-III-R) for school psychological practice. Presents five misguided assumptions upon which DSM-III-R use is based, dealing with medical model conceptualization of behavior; reliability; validity; relevance for special education…

Responds to critiques by Reynolds and by Hynd of previous article (Gresham and Gansle, this issue) which reviewed relevance of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised (DSM-III-R), and noted irrelevance of DSM-III-R for school psychology practice. Addresses misconceptions/misconstruals of objective facts in…

Studied the stability of special education services in rural areas by examining the records of 654 students in 10 school districts over a 3-year period. More than one of five students were terminated and about one in six were reclassified. Speech-language-impaired students were most likely to change, whereas severely mentally impaired were least…

Some researchers have attributed school learning problems to students entering school too early. Investigated relationship between students' month of birth and learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, and speech and language delays in 1,951 identified students with these disabilities. Analysis did not find that late-birthdate children were…

Three databases were analyzed to investigate the range and frequency of terms in the field of mental retardation/developmental disabilities. The most prevalent term over the last 15 years was "mentally retarded." The terms "cognitive impairment" and "developmental disabilities" have been used more frequently in the last five years. (Author/CR)

The experience of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services of suburban Buffalo, New York, belies the beliief that traditional practices of labeling students are necessary to obtain funding of special educational programs. (DB)

The author cites potential damages resulting from P.L. 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, and its reliance on categories of handicapping conditions. He further notes the possibility of a backlash movement in the country's current conservatism. (CL)